Lesotho Safari - Complete Travel Guide

Lesotho is a gorgeous mountainous country, rich in culture and filled with wonders. From waterfalls to dinosaur footprints, this small country has an abundance of sights to see. If you’re looking for your next best adventure, this is the place to go – mountain climbing, abseiling, fantastic hiking and biking trails, and of course, the famous Basotho pony treks. While the journey to the top of a waterfall or mountain will get your heart racing, the view will leave you breathless with its mesmerizing beauty.

Why Go on a Lesotho Safari

Lesotho is not your typical safari destination – there are no big game drives, not much wildlife and definitely no Big Five.

What it does have, however, are excellent hiking and biking trails, with mesmerising vistas and a 206m high waterfall, the Maletsunyane Falls, that is perfect for abseiling. With a range of activities suited to adventure-lovers, Lesotho provides a great escape from our busy lives.

Mountain climbing at Lancers Gap to the top and abseiling down Maletsunyane Falls, coupled with a leisurely visit of nearby villages, being entertain by local bands and choirs will give you completely different outlook on Africa.

How about hiking through the mountains, or to the top of a waterfall? You could also take a 4x4 drive through Semonkong (which translates to “Place of Smoke”) or go mountain biking (or quad biking) on the mountain trails. Pony trekking is particularly popular in Lesotho, and the trails can take you through the mountains or to the top of a waterfall.

Don’t forget to visit the Bushman Rock Art, dinosaur footprints and explore caves to see the indigenous peoples’ lifestyle, before visiting with the local Sangoma for a consultation.

There are numerous rock pools, waterfalls and gorges. In Ts’ehlanyane Nature Reserve alone, there is a valley called The Valley of The Pools, which as over 16 deep swimming holes. Fishing, boating on Mohale Dam, canoeing and swimming throughout your visit will ensure that there is never a dull moment.

There is also Katse Botanical Garden, as well as the Afri-Ski skiing resort, which is open from May to September (winter).

Lesotho is overflowing with fun-filled activities and adventures just waiting for you. However, your visit does not have to be all excitement. You could choose a leisurely museum or cultural tour as well. Or you could spend time in the remote, peaceful parks and reserves, which are particularly empty from January to May, offering privacy and beautiful scenery, in the perfect wilderness setting.

Pros And Cons

Every adventure comes with overcoming some challenges. We are here to help you choose the adventure that is right for you.

Pros

Excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding trails

Spectacular vistas

Rich local culture

Mild to moderate temperatures with little precipitation

Very affordable safaris

Cons

This is a nature viewing destination with not much wildlife to view

Can get busy from September to November

Best Time To Go

Lesotho has a relatively mild climate, with coldest weather being in the winter months from June to August. Due to the amount of varying activities that are available, Lesotho can be visited all year-round.

This is summer. The weather is perfect for those who love travelling in warm weather, and it also a slow tourist season, which means lower accommodation rates. The average high temperature for these months ranges from 78.3°f (25.7°C) to 82.9°F (28.3°C). The precipitation is on average 4 to 5 days a month.

This is fall and the slowest time of the year for tourist which will likely equal lower rates. Temperature and humidity merge to ensure a moderate feel to the season, with later months becoming colder. The average high temperature ranges from 63.3°F (17.4°C) to 80°F (26.7°C), depending on how early it is in the season. Rain is rare during these months.

This is winter and the coldest and driest time of the year. There is hardly any rain at all during this time. The tourist season begins to pick up, and accommodation rates may increase.

This is spring and the high tourist season – expect higher accommodation rates. The high temperature ranges from 66.6°F (19.2°C) to 79.5°F (26.4°C), and it rains on average 1 – 3 days a month.

Popular Tours

We constantly strive to improve our award winning safari packages each year. I believe this is the best safari package we have ever offered, providing great quality at an affordable price. We start this safari at our safari base, the exclusive Rukiya Safari Lodge located on the banks of the Blyde River in the Wild Rivers private Nature Reserve. Rukiya is not only our safari base but is also a key location for our leopard research program. Following four days at Rukiya with our team, you will visit three other game reserves to ensure you can enjoy a variety of different lodge styles and reserves to give you a comprehensive safari experience. This safari provides a perfect balance between big five game viewing and a chance to gain a better understanding or be involved with wildlife conservation. As well as opportunities to explore in the company of wildlife conservationists. Of-course there is also time for some R&R to sit back, relax and enjoy the African bush. We recommend our safari itinerary shown below, as we’ve developed and honed it over many years in keeping with our company ethos and moreover feedback from safari guests. It covers all the elements that we feel should be included in an African safari, and has received many five star guest reviews”.

The Rainbow Route is an overview tour of South Africa including neighbouring Kingdom of Swaziland. The tour covers many highlights with a strong focus on the national parks. This diverse country is explored over great distances that may involve long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to experience the area. The fully accommodated tour offers a great value for money way to explore South Africa.

Wildlife And Birds

Lesotho is a small game viewing destination, and if you only want to see large animals such as elephant and rhino, then you will be disappointed. However, birdwatching is great here, due the high altitudes and the terrain that ranges from mountains to waterfalls, forests and wetlands.

List Of Animals

Cheetah

Leopard

Hyena

Zebra

Baboon

This is not a big game viewing country, and the parks and reserves are mostly focused on small game, birds and conservation. There is a large predator population, which consists mostly of big cats, the brown hyena and the black-backed jackal. You can also expect troops of baboons, Burchell’s zebra (which is a mountain zebra), as well the common eland and the black wildebeest.

Lesotho is a great bird watching destination, with roughly 600 bird species. The high plateaus offer great opportunities view and photograph magnificent bird species such as the Bearded Vulture, as well as Alpine endemics like the Drakensberg Rock-jumper.

Popular Parks

Lesotho is a rarely visited African country, which supports a host of beautiful landscapes. With Ts’ehlanyane National Park’s beautifully rugged terrain, to the Afro-Alpine Wetlands and stunning Lepaqao Waterfall in Bokang Nature Reserve, and the remarkable sandstone formations in the peaceful Sehlabathebe National Park, Lesotho is a great destination for those who want to get away from the bustle of their lives. Hiking, horse riding and pony treks are particularly popular in Lesotho, and guides will accompany you on all trails to ensure your safety.

Bordered by the Drakensberg Mountains, Sehlabathebe National Park is a true, remote wilderness. Small mammals and shy antelope wander throughout the park, while an abundance of birdlife traverse the skies. This untouched, isolated land is filled with various rock formations, flowing rivers, waterfalls, and rock paintings. Enjoy the peace and absolute silence of nature in the beautiful expanse of land that is Sehlabathebe National Park.

Getting There And Safety

Your safety is of utmost importance to us, and we want to help with that as much as possible. Please take the time to view the information below, to assist you on your journey.

Getting to Lesotho is easy from almost anywhere in South Africa – although Johannesburg and Durban are your best bets. You can travel to Lesotho by plane or by car. If you are coming from abroad (UK or USA), you will likely arrive in Johannesburg, and travel to Lesotho from there. It is up to you whether you take a 1-hour flight or a 4-and-a-half-hour drive to the small country.

Flights

For the flights to Lesotho, it is advised to check Skyscanner (for multiple destination flights).

If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Lesotho via South Africa.

If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Lesotho via South Africa.

Avoid wearing valuable and expensive items on display, particularly in Maseru. Avoid travelling alone at night as well – muggings are common here.

The main daytime risks are pickpocketing and bag-snatching – be vigilant.

The occasional political unrest with generally only affect the capital. Should this be an issue, you should avoid crowds and stay off the streets as far as possible.

When hiking, if you are without a guide, you may end up being harassed for money in remote areas by shepherds. There is also a slight risk of being mugged.

It is advised that women do not hike alone, as rape is a problem in the country.

Do not camp on high ground or out in the open during an electrical storm (lightning strikes are a real thing).

When hiking and pony trekking, ensure that you have a waterproof backpack with essential in case of an emergency – waterproof gear, warmer clothing, basic first-aid kit, water and snacks, and anything else you think you may need.

Travel Insurance

Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all travel in Lesotho. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.

Caution should always be taken when travelling to a foreign country. The tap water in Lesotho is generally safe to drink. However, if the water looks cloudy or in any way strange, then it may be best to stick to drinking water.

Did you know, many of Lesotho’s citizen are forced to walk miles for clean drinking water each day. The lodges or hotels that you will be staying at are sure to have running water, but it is good to think of those in this small country that do not have such easy access to clean water.